Running, cycling, in-line skating - physical fitness is a national obsession. The struggle to stay in shape has made a regular exercise program a top priority for many Americans.
A blast of sweltering weather isn't enough to keep aficionados from their daily routines, but when the mercury soars, appreciating the effects of heat on your body and knowing how best to mitigate them, can enhance your performance and preserve your health.
Selecting the proper garb is a key factor in keeping your cool during rigorous activity. With all the high-tech materials now on the market, which should you choose? A recent survey in Sportswear International, a fashion trade publication, reveals that 79 percent of consumers polled indicate they prefer active wear made of cotton as opposed to other fibers. The reason? In a word, comfort.
"If you're concerned about becoming overheated, the last thing you want to do is don a synthetic garment that doesn't breathe and doesn't absorb," says Wolfgang Strahl, senior vice president of textile research and implementation for Cotton Incorporated. "That's tantamount to wearing a rubber suit to work out in."
Strahl points out that perspiration is nature's safeguard against extremely high temperatures. Under hot, humid conditions, synthetic fabrics increase sweating but trap moisture. Clogged sweat ducts make you prone to developing rashes and other skin irritations. Because of its unique structure, cotton transports moisture through the interior of the fiber to the garment surface where it evaporates. It also allows the movement of air across the skin, promoting cooling.
"In the summer, I see many people with fungal infections, prickly heat and other forms of dermatitis," says Dr. Tina Alster, assistant clinical professor of Dermatology at Georgetown University. Alster affirms such maladies are often brought on or exacerbated by inappropriate apparel. "I recommend cotton athletic gear for all my patients and wear it myself whenever I work out. Cotton is far less likely to cause itchy skin conditions."
To avoid discomfort, Alster advises you never put on anything damp, always wear clean, dry clothing, shower after exercise and launder garments in a fragrance-free detergent. Other preventative measures include restricting outdoor activity to the early morning or late afternoon hours, drinking plenty of water to replace lost body fluids and taking periodic rests. |
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